# Thai Market Finds MVP Operations Pack

Date: 2026-05-08  
Status: local internal draft only — no public launch, checkout, supplier contact, customer contact, or stock purchase without Alex approval.

## 0. Operating principle

Run this as a small-batch validation loop, not a normal ecommerce launch.

1. Collect real product evidence from family/wife.
2. Score products for margin, quality, compliance simplicity, postage risk and content strength.
3. Publish only approved draft content/waitlist tests.
4. Buy tiny batches only after demand signal and Alex approval.
5. Fulfil from UK-held stock with simple tracked processes.

MVP categories stay limited to low-risk adult accessories and giftable stationery: woven/rattan/straw bags, scarf/scrunchie/pouch bundles, textile pouches, and small stationery/gift sets. Avoid food, cosmetics, medicines, supplements, toys, electricals, branded/lookalike goods, sharp items, fragile/bulky goods, and anything requiring health/spiritual claims.

## 1. Order and waitlist workflow

### Stage A — product candidate intake

Trigger: family/wife finds a candidate product in Thailand.

Capture before any buying:
- Product lane: bag / bundle / pouch / stationery / other.
- Photos: front, back, inside, close-up material, zip/strap/stitching, scale-in-hand.
- Video: 5–10 seconds holding/turning item; one quick quality-check clip.
- Price in THB for 1 / 5 / 10 units if available.
- Dimensions and weight estimate.
- Material claim only if seller can confirm.
- Seller repeat-supply likelihood: one-off / likely / reliable.
- Defects noticed.
- Packaging needed for UK shipment.

Decision gate: add to product shortlist only if it passes low-risk category rules and has enough evidence to price.

### Stage B — internal product score

Score each candidate 1–5:
- Visual appeal for short-form content.
- Gross margin after landed cost and UK postage.
- Low compliance complexity.
- Low breakage/mould/quality risk.
- Repeat-supply likelihood.
- Wife/family content fit.

Minimum MVP threshold: average 3.5+, with no score under 3 for compliance or fulfilment risk.

### Stage C — public demand test, after approval

Allowed public options after Alex approves:
- Waitlist form with email + product vote.
- Product-vote landing page with no checkout.
- TikTok/Reels/Shorts content asking which product to bring first.

Do not:
- Take payment before stock is UK-held and inspected.
- Promise handmade/origin/material details unless verified.
- Promise delivery dates before stock arrives in the UK.

### Stage D — pre-drop decision

Buy a tiny batch only when all are true:
- Product evidence is complete.
- Expected landed margin is acceptable.
- At least one clear demand signal exists: votes, comments, saves, email signups, DMs, or repeat content engagement.
- Alex approves spend and quantity.

Suggested tiny first batch:
- 3–5 hero bags, or
- 5–10 bundles/pouches, or
- mixed test box under a pre-agreed spend cap.

### Stage E — live order handling

When checkout is eventually approved:
1. Stock is inspected and logged in the UK.
2. Product page uses real photos/specs only.
3. Customer order enters an order log.
4. Pick-pack-ship checklist completed.
5. Tracking/reference saved.
6. Customer service response templates used for any issue.

## 2. Fulfilment checklist

Use this for every unit before listing and before dispatch.

### Inbound stock check

- [ ] Count received units against purchase record.
- [ ] Photograph batch on arrival.
- [ ] Inspect for mould, smell, damp, stains, broken parts, sharp edges, loose stitching, damaged zips, strap weakness.
- [ ] Confirm dimensions and weight.
- [ ] Confirm product is adult-use accessory/gift item; no child/toy/medical/cosmetic positioning.
- [ ] Assign SKU/batch code.
- [ ] Store in dry, clean, labelled container.
- [ ] Mark pass/fail/repair/discount/hold.

### Listing readiness

- [ ] Real photos added.
- [ ] Description avoids unverified material/origin claims.
- [ ] Dimensions and care notes included.
- [ ] Price checked against landed cost + packaging + postage + payment fees.
- [ ] Return policy visible.
- [ ] Stock quantity matches inspected inventory.

### Pick and pack

- [ ] Match order to SKU and batch code.
- [ ] Re-inspect item before packing.
- [ ] Photograph item before packing for evidence on first batches.
- [ ] Add care card / thank-you insert if ready.
- [ ] Use protective inner bag or tissue.
- [ ] Use suitable mailer/box; prevent crush damage for bags.
- [ ] Weigh packed order.
- [ ] Buy correct postage/tracked service.
- [ ] Save tracking/reference.
- [ ] Mark order dispatched.

### Post-dispatch

- [ ] Send dispatch email/message only through approved channel.
- [ ] Monitor delayed/lost parcel window.
- [ ] Log customer feedback, reviews, defects and return reasons.

## 3. Returns and customer service draft

### Plain-English returns policy draft

This is a starter draft for review before publishing.

> We hope you love your Thai Market Finds order. If something is not right, contact us within 14 days of delivery. Items should be returned unused, in their original condition and packaging where possible. Once we receive the return, we will inspect it and issue a refund for the item price. Original postage and return postage rules will be confirmed before launch. If your item arrives damaged or incorrect, send photos within 48 hours so we can help quickly.

Notes before publishing:
- Confirm final UK consumer policy wording before public launch.
- Do not imply exclusions that conflict with UK distance-selling rights.
- Keep a separate defect process for damaged/incorrect items.

### Customer service templates

#### Waitlist acknowledgement

Subject: You’re on the Thai Market Finds first-drop list

Thanks for joining the first-drop list. We’re testing a tiny UK drop of curated Thai market accessories and giftable finds. No payment is being taken yet — we’ll only open orders once stock is checked and ready in the UK.

#### Product vote reply

Thanks for voting. This helps us decide what to bring first, before buying stock. We’re currently checking quality, postage and pricing so the first drop stays small and careful.

#### Dispatch update

Your Thai Market Finds order has been packed and dispatched. Tracking/reference: [TRACKING]. Please allow [X] working days. If anything looks wrong when it arrives, send photos and your order number and we’ll help.

#### Delay response

Thanks for letting us know. I’m sorry the parcel has not arrived yet. I’ll check the tracking/reference and update you with the next step. If it is confirmed lost, we’ll explain the replacement/refund options clearly.

#### Damaged item response

I’m sorry it arrived like that. Please send photos of the item, packaging and label within 48 hours if possible. We’ll review it and confirm whether we can replace, refund or arrange a return.

#### Return request response

Thanks for contacting us. Please confirm the order number, item, reason for return and whether the item is unused. We’ll reply with the return steps and the address once confirmed.

## 4. Content approval workflow

No public content goes live without approval.

### Content pipeline

1. Idea added to content backlog.
2. Draft hook/caption/shot list created.
3. Asset source selected: generated placeholder / wife modelling / family market footage / product photos.
4. Claims check completed.
5. Brand and risk review completed.
6. Alex approval.
7. Schedule/post manually or through approved tool.
8. Log metrics after 24h, 72h and 7 days.

### Claims and risk checklist

Before approving a post:
- [ ] No medical, spiritual, therapeutic, cosmetic or wellbeing claims.
- [ ] No “handmade”, “local artisan”, “authentic”, “fair trade”, “silk”, “leather”, “organic” or material claims unless evidenced.
- [ ] No child/toy positioning.
- [ ] No copyrighted music/brand/logo issue in visual assets.
- [ ] No overpromising stock, delivery dates or scarcity.
- [ ] Clear if it is a vote/waitlist/test rather than live sale.

### Approval statuses

- Draft — internal only.
- Needs evidence — blocked until real product/supplier proof.
- Ready for Alex review — safe draft but not approved.
- Approved to post — specific asset/caption/channel/date approved.
- Posted — live URL saved.
- Retired — do not reuse without review.

## 5. Analytics metrics

Track manually at first in a spreadsheet or simple database.

### Waitlist and demand metrics

- Email signups.
- Product votes by category.
- Vote-to-email conversion rate.
- Comments asking price/availability.
- DMs or replies.
- Saves/shares on product posts.
- Top product by demand signal.

### Content metrics

For each post:
- Channel.
- Asset type: wife modelling / market footage / product close-up / generated preview.
- Hook.
- Views at 24h/72h/7d.
- Watch time or retention if available.
- Likes/comments/saves/shares.
- Profile visits.
- Waitlist clicks/signups.
- Qualitative comments: objections, product requests, price feedback.

### Commerce metrics once live

- Units listed.
- Units sold.
- Conversion rate.
- Average order value.
- Gross margin per order.
- Packaging/postage cost.
- Return/refund rate.
- Defect rate by batch/SKU.
- Time from order to dispatch.
- Customer service issues per 10 orders.

### Weekly decision questions

- Which product has the strongest demand-to-risk ratio?
- Which content format creates the best waitlist signal?
- Which product has margin after real postage/packaging?
- What should be stopped, repeated or bought in tiny quantity?

## 6. Weekly operating loop

### Monday — review and decide

- Review prior week metrics.
- Pick 1–2 product candidates to push.
- Pick 3–5 content drafts to prepare.
- Identify missing evidence from family/wife.
- Decide if any item is ready for Alex approval.

### Tuesday — sourcing and assets

- Send/prepare family evidence request, only after approval if external.
- Collect product photos, videos, prices and dimensions.
- Update shortlist and margin model.

### Wednesday — content build

- Draft hooks, captions, product-vote copy and thumbnail ideas.
- Prepare wife/model shot list if real assets are available.
- Check claims and category risk.

### Thursday — approval gate

- Package approval set for Alex: product, cost, risk, content, recommended action.
- Mark approve/revise/hold.
- Do not post, buy, contact, connect forms or deploy unless approved.

### Friday — publish/test or improve local assets

If approved:
- Post/schedule approved content.
- Open approved waitlist/product vote.
- Log URLs and baseline metrics.

If not approved:
- Improve local site, operations docs, product evidence templates and content drafts.

### Weekend — light monitoring

- Check comments/signups if live.
- Capture screenshots/examples of strong signals.
- Do not escalate unless there is a time-sensitive issue.

## 7. First MVP operating checklist

Before launch:
- [ ] Final brand name confirmed or placeholder accepted.
- [ ] First product lane approved.
- [ ] Family intake pack completed with real product evidence.
- [ ] Landed-cost model completed.
- [ ] Return policy reviewed.
- [ ] Packaging selected.
- [ ] Waitlist form approved and tested.
- [ ] Content approval workflow in use.
- [ ] No checkout until stock is UK-held and inspected.

First 30 days:
- [ ] Run 10–20 product-vote/content tests.
- [ ] Collect at least 50–100 waitlist/vote signals before meaningful stock spend, unless Alex chooses a smaller manual test.
- [ ] Buy only tiny batch after approval.
- [ ] Inspect and list real UK-held stock.
- [ ] Fulfil manually with evidence photos.
- [ ] Review returns/defects before scaling.

## 8. Recommended next action

Use this pack as the operating backbone for the preview site. The next practical step is to connect the product database/margin model to this workflow so each product candidate has one status: Intake, Scored, Waitlist Test, Approved Tiny Batch, UK Stock, Listed, Sold, Returned, or Retired.